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Andie and I painted every morning. She’s getting better with each passing day. I love that time with her. Glinda and I talked for hours in the early evenings. Beckett and I made love for hours at night. We needed that reconnection after the stressful few months we have had. All of us swam, ate, and explored. It was perfection.
I was hoping the media attention would die down when we returned, and it did for a few weeks. But another story came out about my father today. I’m finally beginning to desensitize to it all. Beckett was losing his shit about it. I told him I needed a night away from him. I can’t handle it when he gets angry at the world.
I came back from Italy with a sense of peace, and I want to keep it that way.
I decide to have dinner with Jade and Collin. They told me to meet them at one of their favorite restaurants. She’s already sitting but stands when she sees me. She’s such a stunning pregnant woman.
I can’t help but shake my head as we embrace. “You should model pregnancy clothes. You’re gorgeous.”
She gives me a soft smile. “Thank you. Collin said the same thing the other day, but it might have been because I was naked and on top of him.”
I let out a laugh. “I think he loves you very much. You have no idea how fortunate you are to have found a man who loves you the way he does.”
Collin throws his arm around me as he kisses my cheek. He’s so warm. “Listen to your mom.”
She smiles at him with so much affection. She’s so in love with him. “I know.” She briefly pauses before looking at me. “How are things going with Beckett?”
“They’re fine. Italy was magical and we’ve had a wonderful few weeks since. I’m sure you saw the article this morning. He freaked out. He can be a spoiled child sometimes. When he gets grumpy, I know we need to take a break. I can’t be around him when he plays the victim.”
She scrunches her nose. “I was hoping you didn’t see it. Clearly you did.”
“Yes. It’s about me and yet he lets it impact him more.”
“Because he cares about you.”
“I know, but part of being spoiled is being unable to manage when things don’t go your way. That’s him. As soon as things go off script, he breaks down. I think I’m just more accustomed to it. My life has always gone off script.”
I suppose Jade was right when shementioned it weeks ago. Beckett is a lot like Declan. As much as I get annoyed by his behavior at times, admittedly, the alpha in him also turns me on. Why am I attracted to men like that? What does it say about me?
I’m deep in my thoughts when both of their phones chime at the same time. They look down at them. Jade turns a shade of white and Collin breathes, “Fuck.”
I look at them both with concern. “What’s wrong?”
Jade has panic written all over her face. “Carter was in a motorcycle accident. We need to get to the hospital right away.”
Collin looks like he’s in shock. Jade pulls his head to hers. “Stay with me. He’s going to be fine. We have to go and be there for Reagan. She needs us.”
Collin nods. On autopilot, he reaches into his pockets and drops a wad of cash on the table.
I grab his keys from his hand. “I’ll drive. Let’s go.”
As we walk out, Lou stands, appearing surprised that we’re already finished with dinner. “I’m driving them to the hospital in their car. Just follow in mine.”
He doesn’t ask questions. He simply says, “Will do.”
Collin is beside himself the entire car ride to the hospital. I’m driving while he and Jade are in the back. She’s consoling him. While Jade sadly had to take care of me on more than one occasion growing up, she’s never had to console a man like this. She’s holding him, whispering reassurances in his ear. I can’t help but be proud of her for how she’s handling this. She’s matured so much in the past year. Their love and dependence on each other shine through. I’m so happy for her that she found this type of intimacy and commitment with Collin, and I know without a doubt that he would do the same for her.
We arrive at the hospital to see the Knight andLawrence families taking up the entire waiting room. Reagan is whimpering in Darian and Skylar’s arms. As soon as she sees Collin, she runs into his waiting embrace and starts sobbing heavily.
“I need him to be okay. I can’t live without him, Collin. He’s my everything.”
“He’ll be fine. No one is stronger than Carter Daulton. He’s not leaving you. Not ever. I promise.”
Collin is holding her up, trying to be strong even though I know he’s hurting inside. Jade is rubbing both of their backs as she fights back her own tears.
Darian’s daughter, Harley, and her husband, Brody, are both surgeons at the hospital. I don’t see them. They’re the only members of the family missing. They must be helping Carter.
I whisper to Cassandra, “What exactly happened?”
